The Non-Jazz NBA Thread in the Jazz Section

[KqWIN]

It's kinda weird, but I also feel like Naz Reid just isn't anywhere like the Naz Reid of last year.

It's one of many things that has gone awry for the TWolves. I still maintain that of all the transactions they've made, Randle is really the only one who has performed to expectation. Randle wasn't supposed to be an equivalent to Towns, there's a reason why the Wolves got DDV and a decent first out of the deal in addition to Randle. Naz Reid and DDV had amazing seasons last year and have fallen off quite a bit. They are still good players, but they were probably playing above their heads last season. Mike and Rudy are older, and Ant/McDaniels haven't taken steps forward.

Last year was likely their best chance to win it. They may not be out for the count yet, but I don't think it gets better from here.

 

[KqWIN]

Alex Sarr has been playing much better. Still goofy AF, but he has great intrigue.

 

[Saint Cy of JFC]

It's one of many things that has gone awry for the TWolves. I still maintain that of all the transactions they've made, Randle is really the only one who has performed to expectation. Randle wasn't supposed to be an equivalent to Towns, there's a reason why the Wolves got DDV and a decent first out of the deal in addition to Randle. Naz Reid and DDV had amazing seasons last year and have fallen off quite a bit. They are still good players, but they were probably playing above their heads last season. Mike and Rudy are older, and Ant/McDaniels haven't taken steps forward.

Last year was likely their best chance to win it. They may not be out for the count yet, but I don't think it gets better from here.

Ant has taken a massive step forward

 

[KqWIN]

Ant has taken a massive step forward

Meh….His three point shooting is much improved, but it’s come at the cost of significantly reducing his drives to the basket. It hasn’t changed his efficiency much and without attacking the hoop he doesn’t put the same amount of pressure on the defense as a playmaker. It’s hard to say his impact is any better if at all. Calling it a massive leap is a massive stretch to me. Great skill development, but not exactly leading to more W’s than before.

 

[FrenchJazzFa]

Ant has taken a massive step forward

I agree. He score much but when he play PG , he is awful, TO the ball way too much and keeping it way too long. Plus Mike is getting older which does not help. But overall, it's the Randle trade that put them in trouble. They decide to go with only one superstar ANT instead of 2, for money issues and also i think they bet ANT will improve a lot a a leader..... wrong bet until now. He is just too young to carry a team.

 

[FrenchJazzFa]

The reason why I struggle with this comparison is that Jaden is and has always been a maniac on the floor. He may have never lived up to the “baby Durant” hype he had when he was younger but he was always crazy (for better or worse) and that has allowed him to be an effective role player (even though he’s overrated AF).

Cody has shown to be more active in the GLeague, but he’s still a very passive/low motor player.

But hey, I think we get to picky about comparisons. His best chance at being an NBA player is being a good defender and passible on offense. Don’t think Cody will ever be as good of a defender as Jaden, but perhaps he could be less awful on offense.

I agree and disagree : Jaden is not awful in offense, just not consistent at all. Got some good games, some really bad. The fact of playing with 2 players who eat the ball does not help too. Rudy sems also regressing on offense as do Mike. As long as they don't trade Randle, they will have trouble. Jaden in defense is top player already. Hope Cody can follow the same path.

 

[Saint Cy of JFC]

Meh….His three point shooting is much improved, but it’s come at the cost of significantly reducing his drives to the basket. It hasn’t changed his efficiency much and without attacking the hoop he doesn’t put the same amount of pressure on the defense as a playmaker. It’s hard to say his impact is any better if at all. Calling it a massive leap is a massive stretch to me. Great skill development, but not exactly leading to more W’s than before.

The team got worse around Ant. He's been incredible

 

[KqWIN]

The team got worse around Ant. He's been incredible

He hasn’t been more effective or created more impact. If you’re saying it’s his teammates holding him back, I disagree but whatever, doesn’t change the fact that the Wolves aren’t really getting more out of him.

 

[KqWIN]

I agree and disagree : Jaden is not awful in offense, just not consistent at all. Got some good games, some really bad. The fact of playing with 2 players who eat the ball does not help too. Rudy sems also regressing on offense as do Mike. As long as they don't trade Randle, they will have trouble. Jaden in defense is top player already. Hope Cody can follow the same path.

Anyone can get hot, including McDaniels. Fact is that overall he can’t do anything with the ball and is inefficient on one of the easiest shot diets in the league. He’s a good defender but his offense is so tragic it brings into question if he’s even a starter level player at all. This year, he hasn’t performed at that level.

I’m hopeful Cody can clear that low bar…but then again he’s been struggling a ton to score in the GLeague.

 

[FrenchJazzFa]

Anyone can get hot, including McDaniels. Fact is that overall he can’t do anything with the ball and is inefficient on one of the easiest shot diets in the league. He’s a good defender but his offense is so tragic it brings into question if he’s even a starter level player at all. This year, he hasn’t performed at that level.

I’m hopeful Cody can clear that low bar…but then again he’s been struggling a ton to score in the GLeague.

Looking at data, i can agree with you but as a follower of all Minny games, i think it's a bit more complex . Rudy, Mike, Jaden all struggle on offense, NAZ too..... i do not believe that all those players are slowing down. Maybe Mike as he is getting older but i'm not even sure ( he lead the team in steals....). It's hard to be efficient on offense when you waiting the ball for ages and when finally Randle or ANT get rid of it, they usually throw a bad pass which make the offense broke.

I'm not saying Jaden can be good on offense but i give him the benefit of doubt considering how Minny play right now with 2 guys sticky with the ball..I would like to see him without Randle and with a better passer.
For Cody, he is young and seems shy to shoot sometimes.... he got work to do for sure.

 

[KqWIN]

Looking at data, i can agree with you but as a follower of all Minny games, i think it's a bit more complex . Rudy, Mike, Jaden all struggle on offense, NAZ too..... i do not believe that all those players are slowing down. Maybe Mike as he is getting older but i'm not even sure ( he lead the team in steals....). It's hard to be efficient on offense when you waiting the ball for ages and when finally Randle or ANT get rid of it, they usually throw a bad pass which make the offense broke.

I'm not saying Jaden can be good on offense but i give him the benefit of doubt considering how Minny play right now with 2 guys sticky with the ball..I would like to see him without Randle and with a better passer.
For Cody, he is young and seems shy to shoot sometimes.... he got work to do for sure.

He has the one of easiest roles to be efficient in. He only takes very easy shots and this year he can’t even make those ones. He's been more efficient in the past, but still, he was never a good offensive player because he has no ability to do anything else. TWolves might have some guys who dribble to much, but the biggest reason why Jaden doesn’t do much on offense is his own lack of ability. There’s been no indication ever that he could actually do more with a bigger role.

 

[FrenchJazzFa]

He has the one of easiest roles to be efficient in. He only takes very easy shots and this year he can’t even make those ones. He's been more efficient in the past, but still, he was never a good offensive player because he has no ability to do anything else. TWolves might have some guys who dribble to much, but the biggest reason why Jaden doesn’t do much on offense is his own lack of ability. There’s been no indication ever that he could actually do more with a bigger role.

You may be right, time will tell. If it's the case, then Minny overpay him way too much and he will not be starter level.